What You Need To Know Before Starting A Podcast in 2023
Are you thinking about starting a podcast in 2023? With the explosive growth of podcasting in recent years, it’s no surprise that more and more people are jumping on the bandwagon. But before you hit that record button, there are some important things you need to know. From choosing a niche to selecting the right equipment, to creating engaging content and marketing your podcast effectively, starting a podcast requires careful planning and execution. In this article, we’ll walk you through the essential steps you need to take before launching your own podcast and give you the tools you need to succeed in this exciting and rapidly growing medium.
Download the first chapter of The Storytelling Series: Beginners’ Guide for Small Businesses & Content Creators by Obehi Ewanfoh.
Before you start a podcast for real, you may imagine it like this:
- The majority of your podcasting time will be spent recording episodes (the “fun part”).
- Editing will be simple and quick (if you need to do it at all; you don’t have any speech quirks and never stumble over your words!)
- Sponsors and incredible interview guests will be lined up at your door from the start.
If going through that rosy list makes you smile, you are undoubtedly sensible enough to realize that podcasting, like any serious effort, requires a lot more labor than it appears on the surface.
It’s not always about casually capturing enjoyable talks with friends and A-list celebs. Creating just one episode might need more planning and organization than you ever imagined possible. And there may be instances when you receive unfavorable comments or find it difficult to secure enough sponsors to accomplish your financial objectives.
That’s not to suggest that podcasting can’t be a joyful, meaningful, and prosperous career; it’s simply that the interior of the podcasting life looks so different.
That’s why I’m going to share some facts I wish I’d known before beginning a podcast in this piece. Use them to point you in the correct direction straight away and ensure you have a solid knowledge of what the world of podcasting is all about.
You have to set a defined plan
Before you begin, it’s necessary to be able to answer the key questions regarding your podcast. What is the story about? And, maybe most significantly, why are you doing it in the first place?
Starting a podcast without a plan is like embarking on a journey without a map. You’ll get there eventually, but you’ll waste a lot of time and energy in the process.
Many new podcasters make the mistake of starting without a clear concept of their specialty, style, and audience. While some people have found success by trial and error, it is far better to start with a strategy.
First, do some soul-searching. What motivates you to create this podcast? Do you have something worthwhile to share with the rest of the world? Do you simply enjoy conversing? Do you want to be paid to interview celebrities you admire?
Make a list of your goals and your main “why.” Stick this note somewhere you’ll see it frequently, such as your computer or the bathroom mirror. Allow your “why” to guide all of your other decisions so that you don’t spend time traveling down pathways that will not bring you to your desired destination.
Knowing the what and how of your podcast makes it much easier to get started. Being consistent from the start allows you to build a clear goal, and avoid wasting your own time or resources trying to find your groove on the fly.
A quality setup is a must-have
For long-term success, it is critical to invest in basic, minimal podcasting equipment that does not need hours of setup and does not break the budget while producing the greatest audio and visual quality possible.
A plug-and-play podcast microphone is a simple option that performs the job effectively for many podcasters. In terms of video podcasting cameras, you can use a nice camcorder on a tripod, but an inexpensive external webcam will typically be enough.
You must also select podcast recording software. Fortunately, there are low-cost solutions available that generate high-quality audio and video.
Being organized is a key feature
It takes a lot of preparation, organizing, and behind-the-scenes labor to create one episode of outstanding podcast material. Before each episode, you’ll need to write a podcast script. It’s up to you how comprehensive you make it, but in order to create an episode that doesn’t require hours of editing, you’ll need to go into each recording session with a documented plan.
After you’ve finished recording, you’ll need to write show notes for your episode. These notes provide a synopsis of the episode’s content. It’s definitely best to have a checklist of every step that goes into production to keep track of all the behind-the-scenes chores. Your checklist may comprise the following items:
- Come up with subject ideas,
- Contact the interviewees,
- Conduct research and develop a podcast outline/script,
- Plan an interview/recording session,
- Make a note of the sponsored content,
- Edit the episode and prepare it for publishing,
- Make a description and display your notes,
- Make a transcript of the show,
- Make promotional social media posts and schedule them.
Make sure that you set up a website for your podcast
Many newbie podcasters think that because podcasts are an audio medium, they don’t necessitate much visual input. However, if you want to build a good podcast, you’ll need a website.
After all, you’ll need to get others to listen to you. Simply submitting your episodes to your preferred hosting site will not necessarily get them to the notice of people seeking a new podcast to listen to. This is when a website comes in handy.
Having your own website allows you to use search engine optimization (SEO) fundamentals to help new listeners find you via Google. People searching for new podcasts in your niche or category will likely find your website in their search results if you follow SEO principles correctly, which may lead them to subscribe.
Your website will also serve as your home base, where you will be able to upload show notes, transcripts, blog pieces, and links to prior episodes. It will also serve as a platform for your promotion across several channels.
As your podcast increases in popularity, you’ll want to alert your audience of new episodes or other brand news via social media. Being able to direct visitors to a single spot (your website) is really beneficial in growing your podcast subscriber base.
Finding the right streaming services is crucial
You may have excellent and carefully edited content for consumption, yet you are still having difficulty getting listeners. This is why it is essential to select the best hosting platform. Popular hosting sites for podcasts include PodBean, Blubrry, and BuzzSprout.
Hosting is only half the battle; your listeners should be able to easily stream your programs. Having said that, they are likely to visit prominent streaming sites such as Spotify, iTunes, and Anchor. To be sure, when you initially start out, you may wish to use free platforms to stretch your money.
However, most podcasters have realized that these premium sites are required for a decent podcast. Furthermore, you should avoid relocating your podcast to another site in the future, since this may result in a loss of listeners.
Final thought on What You Need To Know Before Starting A Podcast in 2022
Many new podcasters and aspiring podcasters have the erroneous impression of what it’s like to work in the industry. Starting a podcast requires much preparation and organization, and you must constantly keep both your personal objectives and the requirements of your audience in mind if you want to create a quality, consistent podcast from the start.
While you don’t have to spend a fortune on your setup, you should be aware that you’ll need to invest in the proper equipment and podcast recording software.
Download the first chapter of The Storytelling Series: Beginners’ Guide for Small Businesses & Content Creators by Obehi Ewanfoh.
